Combined brace and clamp element.



L. ZEMAN. COMBINED BRAGE AND CLAMP ELEMENT.

\ APPLICATION FILED DEG. 12, 1912.

Patented Aug. 5, 1913.

WITNESSES:

A TTOHIVEY IINIT LOUIS ZEMAN,

or TOBIAS,

NEBRASKA.

COMBINED BRACE AND CLAMP ELEMENT.

Application filed December 12, 1912.

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, LOUIS ZEMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Tobias, in the county of Saline and State of Nebraska, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Combined Brace and Clamp Elements; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to agricultural implements, and it more particularly relates to a combined brace and clamp element.

An object of the invention is to provide implements that comprise wooden handles or beams with improved means for securely holding and bracing the handles.

Another object of the invention is to provide an element of this character by which a handle may be quickly released and replaced, and, a further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character by which the handle may be easily and securely tightened in its seat after it has become loose from long use or shrinkage.

Other objects and advantages may be recited hereinafter and in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, which supplement this specification, Figure 1 illustrates my invention as embodied in a fork, Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional View through the clamp and handle.

In these drawings, similar reference characters correspond to similar parts throughout the several views.

The fork is formed with the usual tangs 5 on a head 6. Brace members 7 extend upward from the head and terminate in a semi-cylindrical handle seat 8, which constitutes a portion of the handle clamp. Upon opposite sides of the element 8, the brace members are apertured for the reception of screw bolts 9. The middle portion of the head 6 is provided with a socket 10, for receiving an end of the handle 11, over which is clamped a socket member or strap Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 5,1913.

Serial No. 736,262.

12 secured in operative position with the socket 10 by bolts or rivets 13.

The implement may be obviously formed by any of the usual mechanical processes, and the fork disclosed, together with the head 6, tangs 5, and braces 7 thereon may be stamped from heavy sheet metal, and thereafter the semicylindrical portions 8 and 10 pressed or embossed thereon.

The upper clamp member 141 is formed separately from the main frame or body of the fork, and is aperture-d for the reception of the screws 9, said screws being provided with nuts 15, whereby the member 1 1 may be drawn down tightly against the handle 11 for securely clamping it in the seat 8.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the invention is applicable to many and various forms of agricultural implements, and it is also quite obvious that a spade handle may quickly be substituted for the long straight handle, and vice versa.

It will be seen that I have provided a device of this character which is fully capable of attaining the foregoing objects, in a thoroughly practical and etlicient manner.

I do not limit my invention to the exact details of construction, combination and ar rangement of parts, as herewith illustrated and described, but my invention may only be limited by a reasonable interpretation of the claims.

I claim:

1. In an agricultural implement, a body comprising a head having a ground-engaging element thereon and having a handleseat formed in its middle portion and having brace members formed thereon and united with a second handle-seat, an element secured to the head and coacting with the first said handle-seat to form a socket, and means coacting with the second said handleseat for securely clamping a handle.

2. In an agricultural implement, a body stamped from sheet metal and comprising a head having a ground-engaging element thereon and having brace members and handle-seats formed integrally therewith, said l handle seats being embossed in the head and at the terminus of the brace members respectively, means coacting With the handleseat of the head to form a handle socket, and means coacting With the braces and the handle-seat at the terminus thereof for securely clamping a handle.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of 10 tWo subscribing Witnesses.

LOUIS ZEMAN.

Witnesses:

J. A. ZEMAN, Jon ANKNEY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by'addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

